Chocolate-Caramel Swiss Roll

This recipe features a silky whipped-cream filling that's whisked with caramel, then rolled up in a genoise cake that's been brushed with bourbon-chocolate syrup for unbeatable flavor that's nuanced and sophisticated.

Syrup

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons bourbon, such as Maker's Mark

1 1/2 teaspoons Dutch-process cocoa powder

Directions

1.
Whipped cream: Fill a large bowl with ice water. In a small, heavy pot, stir together granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water; heat over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until deep golden brown, about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, stir cornstarch into 1/4 cup cream, then stir mixture into remaining 1 1/4 cups cream. Add cream mixture and salt to caramel, whisking constantly (it will bubble up), and bring to a boil. Set pot in bowl of ice water and let cool, whisking occasionally, 30 minutes; then refrigerate until very cold, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

3.
Combine eggs, yolks, and granulated sugar in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, about 2 minutes. In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat on medium-high speed 2 minutes. Increase speed to high and beat until mixture is pale and thick, about 4 minutes more.

4.
Sift cocoa mixture over top of egg mixture, then fold in. When almost incorporated, pour butter down side of bowl; gently fold to combine, scraping bottom of bowl. Transfer to prepared sheet, using an offset spatula to spread evenly. Bake until center springs back when lightly touched, 6 to 7 minutes. Run a small sharp knife around edges of cake. Invert onto a clean kitchen towel; remove parchment. Immediately, starting at one short side, roll into a log, incorporating towel. Let cool 30 minutes.